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New Orleans may be a party destination for many adults, but the city is home to numerous family neighborhoods and as such, has attractions and activities that non-partying adults and children can enjoy. Family-friendly activities in New Orleans can be both educational and entertaining, making the city a good destination for families.

Louisiana Children's Museum

Located four blocks from the Convention Center in New Orleans’ historic Warehouse District, the Louisiana Children’s Museum is 30,000 square feet of hands-on exploration. Whether piloting a replica tow boat or shopping in a model grocery store, kids combine learning with fun. Special events held throughout the year include book signings with local children's-book authors, touring exhibits and holiday parties. A special area called First Adventures is dedicated to younger children. The area features toys, games, a climbing apparatus and even a tiny replica kitchen. The rest of the museum features exhibits that kids of all ages can enjoy. For example, at the Little Port of New Orleans, small children can pretend they are captaining a cruise ship or a towboat on the Mississippi River. Older kids can challenge themselves as they use a replica gantry to load cargo from a container ship onto a truck. Interactive maps invite kids to follow shipping routes around the world. Lousiana Children’s Museum 420 Julia Street New Orleans, LA 70130 504-523-1357 lcm.org

Audubon Nature Institute

If your kids are animal lovers, you easily could spend a weekend visiting the Audubon Institute’s New Orleans collections. Visit the white alligators and rare blue iguana at the Audubon Zoo in the Uptown neighborhood, then take the historic St. Charles Streetcar to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. While at the Aquarium, take in a film at the Entergy IMAX Theatre, or shrink to the size of a bug at the Audubon Insectarium, located inside the old U.S. Custom House on Canal Street. Audubon Nature Institute 6500 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70118 504-581-4629 auduboninstitute.org

Royal Carriages Horse and Buggy Tour

The French Quarter is New Orleans' oldest neighborhood, with buildings dating to the 1750s. Most young children will be drawn to the sights and sounds as visual artists, mimes and tap dancers compete for attention in Jackson Square and along the sidewalks. Older kids may appreciate the old-fashioned architecture and stories of the Quarter's past. Although the French Quarter is walkable, a horse-and-buggy tour allows your family to rest and relax while touring in style. The knowledgeable guides of Royal Carriages are licensed by the city. The guides tailor their presentations to the group and welcome questions. You can catch a Royal Carriage ride on Decatur Street, across Jackson Square from the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis. Royal Carriages 1824 North Rampart Street New Orleans, LA 70116 504-943-8820 neworleanscarriages.com

Haunted History Ghost Tour

If your kids are brave, consider a tour through New Orleans’ gruesome past. Founded by outlaws and once run by infamous pirate Jean Lafitte, New Orleans was ranked the most haunted city in the United States for 2009 to 2010 by Haunted America Tours. Featured on CNN and the Discovery Channel, Haunted History Tours blends a spooky style with an encyclopedic knowledge of New Orleans’ past. Children are welcome on the tours. A short stop at a haunted pub is included, and children are permitted inside. Haunted History Tours 97 Fontainebleau Drive New Orleans, LA 70125 504-861-2727 hauntedhistorytours.com

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About the Author

Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer specializing in disabled adventure travel. She spent 15 years working for Central Florida theme parks and frequently travels with her disabled father. Fritscher's work can be found in both print and online mediums, including VisualTravelTours.com. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Florida.